Wine is something that’s taken very seriously in Italy, and the country boasts several wine regions from north to south. Starting in 2021, Italy will have an official Città del Vino, or a City of Wine.
Italy has revived its 17th-century wine windows to serve drinks to passers-by
The decision was made by the Città del Vino national association, which unites towns and cities in Italy’s wine regions to promote and protect the quality of Italian wine and its unique local heritage. This year, the association assigned the title of City of Wine for the first time, and the village of Barolo was declared the winner.
Barolo is located in the Piedmontese province of Cuneo. Although it has a population of around 700 citizens, it is the birthplace of the renowned Barolo red wine. Furthermore, Barolo’s location in the Langhe hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014, adds to its charm.
In its pursuit of the title of Città del Vino 2021, Barolo outperformed six other towns, presenting an impressive calendar of exhibitions, classes, seminars, and installations throughout the year. “This year has been challenging, and we believe that this new campaign sends a strong message of hope and new beginnings,” remarked Barolo’s mayor, Renata Bianco.
The overarching theme for the year will be a journey through time, as described by Tiziano Gaia from the Barolo&Castle foundation. He elaborated that initiatives and events will center on rediscovering traditional celebrations, the gradual change of seasons, and honoring those who have shaped Barolo’s wine history.
This initiative promotes the wine culture and tourism of the region while underscoring the principles of sustainability and eco-awareness. According to Floriano Zambon, the president of the Città del Vino association, the title of Città del Vino 2021 awarded to Barolo aligns perfectly with these values.
To gain further insights about this initiative, you can visit the official Città del Vino association website here.
